Sunderland don return to Europe after 53 years, and di Stadium of Light dey loud well well as dem face AZ Alkmaar for Europa League league phase. Di atmosphere sweet pass belief, with fireworks and giant ship tifo, and fans sing and shout as di match start.
AZ no be small side. Dem unbeaten for dia last 14 games, and dem show experience early, win some corners and control di game small. But Sunderland hold dia ground. Di visitors get chance through Ro-Zangelo Daal, but Robin Roefs use him boot to keep di low shot out.
Sunderland later push forward. Enzo Le Fee find space and shape shot towards goal, but di ball hit di near post. Le Fee still test Jari De Busser with half-volley, and di rebound nearly reach Wilson Isidor, but e just pass him reach. Kevin Danso also try from edge of box, and De Busser push am over. Alderete get head to Le Fee corner, but deflection carry am behind.
Trai Hume dey immense for Sunderland defence. Gary Bennett talk say people ask why Hume dey team, but na because of fantastic defending. Hume however collect needless yellow card for foul on Mateo Chávez, so e must defend carefully. Hume still slide across to make excellent interception when AZ escape and Oufkir get two teammates waiting for middle.
Granit Xhaka, Sunderland captain, fire warning before match. E talk say stadium go dey on fire, and e want see players on fire, on and off ball. Xhaka say na big dream to reach another European final and do am with dis club. Coach Régis Le Bris say e dey really proud for players, club and fans. Le Bris talk say dem need play game first, want be brave but not naive, and fans important because dem connect to style of play.
AZ still chase first ever win on English soil. Dem don suffer heavy defeats against Arsenal and Manchester United. West Ham United beat dem for 2023 Conference League semi-finals and win competition. Aston Villa too strong dat same year. For 2024/25 season, AZ lose twice to Tottenham Hotspur for Europa League. Last season, dem lose 3-1 to eventual winners Crystal Palace for Conference League despite goal from Sven Mijnans, who later move to PSV.
Club watcher Philip Smith of Sunderland Echo talk about Dutch players for Sunderland. Robin Roefs popular with fans after excellent season, and dem happy say e sign new contract. Smith say Roefs dey calm and reliable, exactly wetin supporter want from goalkeeper. Brian Brobbey also popular and become cult hero, partly because e score winner for stoppage time away to Newcastle United. Fans appreciate say e be old-fashioned striker, type wey rare for modern football. Brobbey join from Ajax in 2025 for €20 million and e contract dey until 30 June 2029.
Smith talk say big clubs dey follow Brobbey development, both for Premier League and World Cup. E say if Brobbey want become regular striker for Champions League, e likely need score more often. Sunderland need create more clear-cut chances for am. Smith also talk about Sunderland season: after finishing seventh for Premier League as promoted side, dem book Europa League league phase. E say priority na stability for Premier League, and most supporters go dey satisfied with mid-table place and successful Europa League adventure.
Before dis match, Sunderland lose 0-2 at home to reigning champions Arsenal for turbulent match last Saturday. Régis Le Bris take charge of Sunderland in 2024 and guide dem to promotion to Premier League a year later. Sunderland collect 54 points last season, dia highest Premier League tally since 2001. Di Stadium of Light become almost impregnable fortress, and fans highlight na two wins over rivals Newcastle United. Le Bris dey held in extremely high regard by supporters. Smith talk say without doubt he be one of Sunderland best managers of modern era, and if e get another good season, people fit regard am as best manager ever.
